Jon Stewart Slams Rep. Trey Radel Over Cocaine Charge

Jon Stewart is having a field day with the recent cocaine possession charge against Florida Rep. Trey Radel. The Republican had taken public policy stances that included asking welfare recipients to pass a drug test before finding themselves eligible for food stamps, which made it surprising that the self-described “Hip-Hop Conservative” was arrested for drug possession. He has taken a leave of absence since the charge went public.

The TV anchor joked about Radel’s admission that his favorite vacation spot is Cartagena, Colombia. “Anything that could have tipped us off he was a cocaine user?” he asked sarcastically. Radel released a statement saying he was “profoundly sorry” to “let the people of South Florida down.” He also acknowledged having a problem and said he “will do whatever is necessary to overcome it.”

However, this isn’t the first Republican politician to not practice what they preach when it comes to drugs. In March 2012, New York Assemblyman Steve Katz was arrested for possession of marijuana, despite voting against the legalization of medical marijuana the previous year. He called the arrest “an unfortunate incident,” but declared that he would not let it “impede my public service and my calls for real mandate relief, a better economic climate and better services for those in need in New York.”

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo was arrested for DUI in December 2011, despite declaring himself to be a teetotaler and publicly fighting a war against meth in his state. The Mormon later acknowledged having drunks in his apartment and apologized to both the Mormon community and his constituents.